10 Ways to Edit PDF for free

In this article, we will show you how edit PDF for free using tools like Docfly,, Adobe Acrobat, Smallpdf, and Google Docs to make text, image, and page edits on your PDFs effortlessly..

Editing PDF documents can seem difficult at first, but it’s easier than you might think.

How to modify a pdf – Whether you need to add text, change an image, or rearrange pages, there are multiple ways to make changes to your PDF files.

Here we will show you everything you need to know about how to edit a PDF document, no matter what device you’re using or what type of edits you need to make.

Why Edit a PDF?

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s quickly touch on why you might need to edit a PDF. PDFs are often used for official documents, contracts, resumes, and manuals because they preserve formatting across devices. However, what happens when you need to make changes? Here’s why you might want to edit a PDF:

Correcting Errors: You might spot a typo or mistake that needs correcting.
Adding Comments or Annotations: Whether for collaboration or review, you might need to add notes or highlight sections.
Updating Information: Sometimes the information in a PDF needs to be updated, like contact details or terms and conditions.
Merging or Splitting Pages: You might want to combine two PDFs or split a large document into smaller files.

Tools You Can Use to Edit a PDF

Before you start editing your PDF, you’ll need the right tools. There are various options, ranging from free online tools to advanced software programs.

See: 16 Best PDF Document Editor for Editing PDFs

1. Adobe Acrobat DC (Paid)

Adobe Acrobat DC is the most powerful and widely used tool for editing PDFs. It allows you to edit text, images, add or delete pages, and even convert PDFs into Word or Excel documents. Here’s how you can use it:

Open Adobe Acrobat DC and click “Open” to select your PDF.
Click the “Edit PDF” tool in the right-hand panel.
You can now click anywhere on the text or images to make changes.
After editing, click “File” and choose “Save” to save your changes.

2. Online PDF Editors (Free)

If you’re looking for a quick and free solution, several online tools offer PDF editing features. Some of the most popular ones include:

Smallpdf
PDFescape
Sejda
Docfly

These tools typically allow you to edit text, add images, and annotate documents without the need for downloading any software. Here’s a basic rundown on how to use them:

Upload your PDF to the website.
Select the type of edit you want to make (e.g., text, image, annotations).
Make your changes.
Download the edited PDF to your device.

3. Microsoft Word (Free for Word Users)

If you already have Microsoft Word, it can be a handy tool for editing PDFs. Although not designed specifically for PDF editing, Word allows you to open and edit PDFs with some limitations. Here’s how:

Open Microsoft Word and click “File” > “Open.”
Select the PDF you want to edit (Word will convert it into an editable format).
Make your changes.
Save the document as a PDF by selecting “Save As” and choosing PDF as the format.

4. Google Docs (Free)

Google Docs offers a free and simple way to edit PDF files, but it works best with simpler documents. Here’s how:

Upload your PDF to Google Drive.
Right-click on the file and select “Open with” > “Google Docs.”
Google Docs will automatically convert the PDF to an editable document (though the formatting may change).
Edit the document as needed and then download it as a PDF again.

5. Docfly (Online)

Docfly is an excellent online tool designed specifically for editing PDF files with ease. It offers a user-friendly interface and several editing features such as adding or removing text, inserting images, drawing annotations, and more. Here’s how you can use Docfly to edit a PDF:

Visit the Docfly website and create a free account or use their trial version.
Upload your PDF to their platform.
Use the various editing tools to modify text, add images, or annotate the document.
After editing, you can download the modified PDF file directly to your device.

6. Sejda PDF Editor

This is available on the Web, Windows, Mac, and Linux. It allows you to easily modify PDFs following the steps below.

Log on to the Sejda website
Select PDF Editor under the Edit and Sign column.
Upload the PDF file you wish to edit
Tap on the green Upload PDF file button to upload your file from your PC.
Or select a location by clicking the drop-down menu and upload from Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or a Web Address (URL).
Once this is done, you can now edit your document
Edit your documents and apply changes by clicking on the green button

7. From Mac

Open your PDF file
Highlight and copy texts to the clipboard.
Use Command + Shift + 4 to extract image (if necessary)
Drag cursor to fit the frame of the image you want to extract and release.
Open Mac’s Pages app
Paste text from the clipboard into a new document.
Edit desired text
Drag extracted images that are saved to your desktop into Pages document.
Format texts and images
Save the edited document as a PDF

8. PDF Expert

This is a Mac program used for PDF.

Open PDF Expert
Click on ‘edit’ in the toolbar
Select the ‘text’ item
Highlight the text to be edited
Click on blank space after editing

9. PDF Viewers Plus

This is an app that can be purchased on the Microsoft store. It is unique to windows just as PDF Expert to Mac

Select PDF file
Open with PDF Viewer plus
Edit PDF file as needed
Save the edited PDF file

10. Xodo

This program allows you to edit your PDFs on PC, web (online), and mobile phones.

Open xodo.com/app
Drag desired PDF file,
Edit file

Step-by-Step: How to Edit a PDF

Let’s go through the steps to edit a PDF document using different methods. Here’s what you need to do:

1. How to Edit a PDF Using Adobe Acrobat DC

Open Adobe Acrobat on your computer.
Click on “Tools” in the upper left corner and select “Edit PDF.”
Open the PDF file you wish to edit.
Select the text or image you want to change. You can edit the text by clicking on it and typing.
Save your changes when done by clicking “File” and then “Save.”

2. How to Edit a PDF Using Smallpdf (Online)

Go to the Smallpdf website and select “Edit PDF.”
Upload the PDF from your computer.
Use the editing tools to add text, shapes, or draw annotations.
Once you’re done, click Download to save the edited PDF.

3. How to Edit a PDF Using Google Docs

Upload the PDF file to Google Drive.
Right-click the file and choose “Open with” > “Google Docs.”
Once opened, make your edits directly in Google Docs.
When done, go to File > Download > PDF Document (.pdf) to save your edited file.

4. How to Edit a PDF Using Docfly (Online)

Visit Docfly’s website and create a free account.
Upload your PDF file to the platform.
Use the edit tools to modify text, add images, or annotate your document.
After editing, click Download to save your updated PDF to your computer.

Tips for Editing PDFs Effectively

While editing PDFs, keep these tips in mind to ensure your document maintains a professional look:

Check Formatting: Sometimes, converting a PDF can mess up the formatting, so always double-check that everything looks right before saving.
Use Markup Tools for Collaboration: If you need to collaborate with others, consider using annotation or comment tools rather than altering the text itself.
Save a Copy: Always save a copy of your original document before editing, just in case you need to revert back.

Conclusion

Editing PDFs doesn’t have to be complicated! Whether you’re using powerful software like Adobe Acrobat DC or a simple online tool like Smallpdf, or Docfly, there are plenty of ways to make changes to your PDF files. By following the steps above and using the right tools, you’ll be able to efficiently edit PDFs and make them exactly how you need them. So, what are you waiting for? Start editing your PDFs today!

FAQs

Q1: Can I edit a PDF on my mobile device? Yes, many PDF editing tools offer mobile apps that allow you to edit PDFs on the go. Adobe Acrobat Reader, for example, has a mobile version.

Q2: Is it safe to edit PDFs online? Most reputable online PDF editors use encryption to protect your data. However, it’s always a good idea to avoid uploading sensitive or confidential documents to any online service.

Q3: Can I convert a PDF back to Word after editing? Yes, with tools like Adobe Acrobat, you can convert your edited PDF back to a Word document for further changes. Many online editors also offer conversion features.

Now that you know how to edit PDF files with ease, it’s time to get started. Whether you’re editing for business, school, or personal use, these simple methods can save you time and effort.

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